PMP Practice Questions #140
During a project status update meeting, you observe a technically skilled team member struggling to effectively communicate their concerns to stakeholders, resulting in misunderstandings and frustration. what is the most effective action you can take to prevent such situations in the future?
A) Arrange a one-on-one to provide constructive feedback and coaching on their communication skills.
B) Assume the role of spokesperson for the project team to streamline communications.
C) Delegate communication responsibilities to another team member while keeping the expert in a supportive role.
D) Suggest a team-wide external training on communication skills to enhance overall effectiveness.
Analysis
The scenario presented involves a technically skilled team member who is experiencing difficulty in effectively communicating with stakeholders during a project status update meeting. This communication gap leads to misunderstandings and frustration among all parties involved. The question seeks the most effective action a project manager can take to mitigate such issues in future interactions.
Analysis of Options:
Option A: Arrange a one-on-one to provide constructive feedback and coaching on their communication skills. This direct approach allows for personal development in communication, specifically targeting the identified gap. It fosters an environment where the team member can receive specific guidance and practice new skills in a supportive setting. It targets the root of the problem by offering personalized attention to the team member’s communication skills. This approach not only resolves the immediate issue but also builds the team member’s capabilities, contributing to their professional growth and enhancing team effectiveness.
Option B: Assume the role of spokesperson for the project team to streamline communications. This might offer a short-term solution to communication challenges but ultimately restricts the team member’s growth in this crucial skill area. It could also lead to dependency, reducing the team’s ability to operate flexibly and communicate effectively in diverse situations. So, it could create a bottleneck in the project’s communication flow and prevent team members from directly interacting with stakeholders, which is often critical for project success and stakeholder engagement.
Option C: Delegate communication responsibilities to another team member while keeping the expert in a supportive role. This approach is similar to Option B in that it sidesteps the fundamental issue of the team member’s poor communication skills. It could lead to further issues by introducing another layer of communication, potentially distorting the message, and preventing the team member from developing necessary skills. Moreover, it does not contribute to the individual’s growth or the direct resolution of the communication problem.
Option D: Suggest a team-wide external training on communication skills to enhance overall effectiveness. While beneficial for the whole team, this broad approach might not provide the targeted, personalized support needed by the team member struggling with communication. It’s a more generalized solution that might not address specific individual needs effectively. It assumes that the entire team could benefit from such training, which may not be necessary or practical.
Conclusion: Option A is the most suitable and effective choice for addressing the situation. It focuses directly on the team member’s specific weaknesses and offers a practical, supportive way to enhance their skills. This tailored approach not only resolves the immediate problem but also fosters an environment of growth and continuous improvement within the team. Options B and C are less desirable as they create dependencies and do not contribute to individual development. Option D, while useful for broader team issues, fails to concentrate resources on the immediate problem, making it less efficient in this context.
PMP Exam Content Outline Mapping
| Domain | Task |
|---|---|
| People | Task 13: Mentor relevant stakeholders |
Topics Covered
- Mentoring
- Communication / Soft Skills
